Red Flags Missed

SD 57 unknowingly hires teacher previously suspended for threats against students

Nov 14, 2019 | 1:42 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — School District 57’s hiring process is under review after allegedly missing red flags during a hire before this school year.

The local School District hired a new teacher for this year but during the hiring process, allegedly missed a report by the Teacher Regulation branch outlining why Joshua Frederick Roland Laurin was suspended. The consent resolution agreement was executed on October 22, 2019.

According to the report, Laurin made some of the following comments while on a field trip:

  • That he did not like his job or being around kids.
  • That he liked Grade 8 because he could leave students with worksheets and then leave them to do it.
  • That he would like to use one of the students on the field trip to beat two other students to death and to injure a third one.
  • That he wanted to use one of the students to “whack” two others.

According to Board Chair Tim Bennett, the school district is actively and thoroughly working to ensure the mental and physical safety of its students.

Bennett also said the ruling by the Teachers Regulation Branch puts into question the process in which School District 57 goes through to hire staff.

As for Laurin’s status with the school district following this revelation, the district would only say that he’s “been removed.”